Control device for automobiles.



A Jf A. STAPLES. CQNTROL DEVICE FOR AUOIVIOBILES. lAPPLlcAmm man Nov. 7.1914.

im @5955@ 'Patented Alu. 113, 1915.

WlT/VESSES THE NORRIS PETERS C0.. PHDTD-UTHO.. WASHINGTON. C.

z SHEETS-SHEET 1.' l

J. A. STAPLES. coNmoL'nEvlcs Foa Auowlouss.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 7| 1914. Mym Patented Apr.. 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A TTUR/l/EYS THE MORRIS PE'TERS C0., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHING KON JOI-IN ATKINSON STAPLES, 0F NEWBURGH, NEW YORK.

CONIBUL DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

risotto.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. I3, MM5.

Application led November 7, 1914. Serial No. 870,732.

To ZZ 1,071,011@ t may concern Be it known that I, JOHN ATKINSON STA- rLns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newburgh, in the county of lGrange and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Control Devices for Automobiles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention selected by me for purposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

In the said drawings, Figure l is a perspective view partly in section of an embodiment of my invention in its prefer 1ed form adapted for use as an accelerator for controlling the feed of explosive material to the motor of an automobile, the device being illustrated as applied to the floor board of the vehicle. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse seetional view taken through the floor board on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, looking forward. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 3--8 of Fig. l. Fig. l is a vertical sectional view on the line 4f-f-l of Fig. 2, showing the locking device for the movable member in inoperative position. Fig. 5 is a similar view show-- ing the locking device in operative position. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and l0, are diagrammatic views illustrating the various ways in which the foot may be applied to the control device for the purpose of effecting accurate regulation of the part to be controlled. Fior Il is a top pla-n view of the apparatus showing the stationary member in a different position from that in which it is represented in Fig. l, illustrating the position of the foot in respect of the stationary and movable members.

In the use of vehicles driven by prime motors, it is very desirable that the control of the motor as to variations of speed may be effected by the foot of the driver in order that his hands may be left free to operate the steering wheel and speed levers. These devices are usually termed accelerators and the portion engaged by the foot is ordinarily moved against the action of the retracting spring so that it is necessary to maintain the foot in a more or less uncomfortable position and to keep the muscles of the foot and leg in a state of tension against the retraction spring, the resistance of which increases the farther the accelerator is moved, and producing great and painful fatigue when driving for long periods. The foot is also in a more or less unstable position so that the jarring of the vehicle is apt to impart accidental movements to the accelerator which interfere with uniformity and accuracy of control and may result in accidents. By a long series of experiments and careful consideration of the necessities and desirable features of a foot control device of this charaeter, I have found that a satisfactory accelerator must permit the foot to be maintained in a comfortable position without strain upon the muscles of the foot or leg, and at the same time must permit of instant operation whether the foot is in contact with the device or, as is often the case, is located on the foot brake or some part of the adjacent flooring, and the device must also for commercial reasons provide for a wide variety of positions of the foot in operating the same to accommodate the habits or convenience of different drivers. It is also desirable that the device shall be constructed so that the least possible resistance shall be offered to the movements of the foot whether longitudinal or vertical or torsional, so that the device will respond instantly to the slightest variation in the position of the foot without hesitation. I also contemplate providing in the same instrument which accomplishes the foregoing results, means for automatically returning the movable member actuated by the foot, to an initial position, and in combination therewith, additional means which may be thrown into and out ofoperation at the will of the operator, for locking or securing the `movable foot actuated member in any position to which it may be moved so that it will remain locked in that position until it is released and restored to the control of the automatic retracting means. This locking feature is of considerable importance in the device for'several reasons. For example, ,ill ,50.1116 parts of the country, the roadthe motor,

Ways are so level and unobstructed by traffic, that it is possible to drive the machine for many miles without the necessity of varying the speed of the motor. In such cases it is extremely desirable to be able to lock the foot control mechanism in an adjusted position and relieve the operators foot from the necessity of maintaining it in constant contact with the foot engaging portions of the device. I also contemplate that in some or many instances, the foot control mechanism will be the only mechanism provided on the vehicle for the control of the fuel supply to and that the usual hand operated lever or gas lever now ordinarily supplied and located beneath the steering wheel may and will be entirely dispensed with. In such case it is necessary in order to start the engine, to open the throttle controlling the supply of fuel before cranking, or otherwise turning over the engine, and withmy improved device this may be readily accomplished by moving the movable member to the desired adjusted position to open the fuel supply valve, and locking it in such position until the engine is started when the locking mechanism can be released and the automatic retracting mechanism restored to the control of the movable member.

In the accompanying drawings which represent the best form or embodiment of my invention, 1 represents a base plate which is secured upon a suitable support, as the iioor board 2 of an automobile or other vehicle, in such position as to be within comfortable reach of the foot when the operator is seated. The plate 1 is preferably provided with a transversely disposed slot 3 at one side and at the other side with two separate and independent transverse rows of adjusting apertures 4, la in different positions longitudinally of the machine, with respect to the slot. I prefer to provide the plate 1 with a thickened portion indicated at 1a adjacent to the apertures l and 4a, and the said apertures are formed in the thickened portion of the plate so as to provide extended bearing apertures for the stem or spindle of the stationary foot engaging member 5 which is a vertically disposed roller preferably in the form of a cone or a truncated cone. The conicalA member 5 is provided with a depending stem 5a which is adapted to rotatably engage any one of the bearing apertures 4 or ta.

6 represents the movable member which is also a vertically disposed roller preferably of conical form being either a cone or a truncated cone, and is provided with a stem 6a extending through the slot 3 and rotatably engaging a part connected with the mechanism for actuating the valve or other part to be controlled. In this instance, the stem 6@L rotatably engages a sleeve 7a on an arm 7 which is pivoted at 8 tothe floor board or other stationary part of the vehicle and is provided with an actuating arm 10 connected by a link 11 to the part to be controlled, which in this instance is a valve 13, the arm 19 of which is connected to the forward end of the link 11. A retracting spring 14C connected in this instance to the arm 10 at its forward end and at its reai end to a screw 9 secured to a stationary part of the vehicle, serves to return the movable rotarv member G and the parts connected therewith, to their normal positions, the movement of the spring tending to move the valve toward a closed position, and the movement of the member in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, tending to open the valve more or less in proportion to the eX- tent of movement imparted to the member (i.

`While the rollers 5 and (i might be of cylindrical form, I prefer to make them conical as shown as their adjacent portions will at all times be inclined to each other and facilitate the insertion of the foot vertically downward between them, while at the same time the sloping faces will afford a certain amount of support for the foot if it is rested between them at a point above the base plate 1. At the same time, the rollers 5 and 6 are free to rotate in either direction to accommodate the movement of the foot longitudinally or torsionally and to avoid friction between the foot and said members which would otherwise retard the movement of the foot. The specific forms of the connections between the movable member and the device to be controlled may be varied in accordance with the construction of the particular automobile or other apparatus with which the control device is used.

As before stated, I prefer to provide means for locking the movable member in any position to which it may be moved or adjusted, when it is desired to secure it and hold the valve or other device in a predetermined position. This locking device may be of any desired form or construction which will accomplish this result. In the accompanying drawings I have shown a very simple device for this purpose which comprises a friction strip 15 preferably formed of spring metal and secured at 16 to the under side of the foot board or other stationary part of the vehicle so as to lie normally adjacent to, but held out of con tact, by its resiliency, with the arm 7 to which the movable member G is connected. The free end of the friction strip 15 is in this instance held from movement longitudinally of the vehicle b v parallel guiding arms 17 secured also to the under side of the foot board or other stationary part of the vehicle, while permitting the vertical movement of the free end of the friction strip. I have shown a simple device for moving the friction strip into frictional engagement with the arm 7 and holding it, which consists of a longitudinally movable slide 18 mounted in a slot 19 in the plate 1 and provided with a depending stem carrying a wedge shaped block 20 adapted to be moved into engagement with the wedge shaped block 21 carried by the friction strip Al5 so as to depress the same into engagement with the arm 7. lf do not, however, limit myself to this specific form of locking device, nor the specific means for actuating the same, as variations may be made therein without departing from my invention.

It will be understood that the stationary rotatable member 15 will be adjusted to the proper distance from the movable rotatable member 6, when the latter is in its retracted position, to accommodate the foot or shoe of the operator, by placing the stem 5a in one or other of the bearing apertures ll or 4a according to the preference of the particular operator. Assuming that the member 5 is placed in engagement with one of the bearing apertures 4, the mechanism in practical use can be operated by the foot in a number of different ways some of which are illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 6, 7, S, 9, and 10, for example. As indicated in Fig. 6, the foot may be moved longitudinally, thus forcing the toe between the rotatable members 5 and 6 and pressing the movable member 6 laterally, while both of said members rotate to prevent friction between the foot and the said members. `With the foot in this position, slight variations in the position of the movable member 6 may be made by torsional movements of the foot by throwing the heel to the right or left, as indicated in Fig. 7, or as indicated inFig. 8, the foot may be moved positively-to the left away from the stationary member if desired. Again, as illustrated `in Fig. 9, the foot may b e placed in an inclined position resting on. the outer edge of the shoe with the inner edge of the sole in engagement with the movable member 6, and by rocking the foot so as to depress the raised side of the sole, the latter will slide downward on the inclined inner surface of the roller`6 and force the latter more or less in a direction to open the valve, while by lifting the Vraised edge of the sole, the retracting spring is permitted to return the movable member 6. Again, as illustrated in Fig. 10, the mechanism may be operated yby poising the foot upon the heel and gradually depressing the toe portion of the foot between the adjacent inclined faces of the members 5 and 6, and thereby moving the movable member 6 more or less. lt will be j noted that in using the mechanism in the manner illustrated 1n Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the

Figs. 1 and 7, the pressure of the retracting spring is transferred from the foot across to the stationary member 5 so that there is no strain whatever on the foot. In using the device as indicated in Fig. 9, the foot is supported ythroughout its length by the heel and one edge of the sole, and the pressure of the retraction spring is transmitted across the foot to the stationary member 5. In using the device as indicated in Fig. 10, an appreciable support is afforded to the toe portion of the foot by the opposite inclined faces of the rollers 5 and 6, the heel being supported on the foot board, while the pressure of the retraction spring is also transmitted across the foot to the stationary member 5.

Fig. 11 shows a plan view of the device with the stationary member 5 rotatably supported in one of the bearing apertures 4a which gives the foot increased leverage in moving the movable member 6 and oers additional range of movement and position to the operator.`

It will be seen, especially in connection with Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive, that the operator has a very wide choice of positions in which he may place his foot, and at the same time secure a high degree of accuracy in the adjustment of the movable member 6 and the control device actuated thereby, so that the speed of the motor can be accurately regulated with the utmost nicety, while at the same time the operator may change his position as often as his comfort and convenience may suggest. It will be noted that as the stationary and movable members are in the form of rollers circular in cross section, the foot may be placed between them at any angle and no particular position of the foot is in any way prescribed by the construction of the apparatus. As a result ofthis construction, the fatigue of driving an automobile or other vehicle for long periods and over great distances is reduced to a minimum, while at all times the most exact and perfect control of the motor is secured. It is also to be noted that the jar of the vehicle does not produce any effect on the control mechanism and further that relieving pressure against the movable m ember or withdrawing the foot entirely from engagement with the control apparatus, permits 'the automatic retracting device to return the movable member to its initial position and reduces the speed of the motor. As this release of the movable member becomes sub-conscious, the danger of accidents is reduced to a. minimum with this device.

ln case it is desired to run for a long period at a particular speed, it is only necessary to adjust the movable member 6 to secure this speed, and thror. into operation the locking mechanism, in this instance by throwing rearwardly the slide 18 when the foot can be entirely removed from the control device. Vhere it is desired to use the foot control device in starting the engine, the locking mechanism is thrown into operation, in this instance by moving the slide 18 rearwardly and the movable member may be set by hand or by the foot as preferred, so as to open the control valve, in the case of an explosion engine, to the desired point when it will be retained in this position by the locking mechanism, thus permitting the engine to be cranked by hand or otherwise turned over to start the motor. To release the locking mechanism it is only necessary to move the slide 18 forward either by the hand or foot, thus permitting the frietion bar 15 to disengage the arm 7 and release the same, restoring it to the control of the retracting spring 14.

It will be seen that where the locking device is provided, as herein shown, and the foot control mechanism constitutes the only mechanism for the control o f the fuel to an explosion engine, that is to say where the usual hand operated lever or gas control lever is dispensed with, the machine can be rendered inoperative by simply removing the movable member 6 from the arm 7 so that it can be left without danger of being stolen or interfered with by unauthorized persons, and if desired, both the movable memberv 6 and the stationary member 5 may be removed for this purpose.

While I have shown and described herein a mechanism in which only one of the opposed members, between which the foot is inserted with a wedging action, is movable, it is immaterial whether one or both of the separable members are movable, although I prefer the constructionV herein shown and described.

I claim broadly a control device having a movable memberand means for automatically retracting the same, combined with locking means which may be thrown into and out of operation at the will of the operator for positively locking the movable member in its adjusted position independent of the foot so that it will remain in such adjusted position without having the foot in operative relation with t-he device until the locking mechanism is thrown out of operation and the automatic retraction device is permitted to again assume control of the movable member. I also claim broadly the use of a rotary foot engaging device for the purpose of preventing the retarding of-the movement of the foot by friction, and the use of a rotatable conical member or rotatable conical members for both relievingfriction and presenting at all times opposed foot engaging surfaces inclined to each other between which the foot may be inserted with a wedging action.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A control device for automobiles, comprising among its members a movable member, means adapted to connect it to the part to be controlled, retracting means for said movable member, a locking member, independent of said retracting means for securing said movable member and connected parts in adjusted position, said locking member being normally in inoperative position and means independent of the normal operation of the movable member for throwing said locking means into and out of operative position, whereby said movable member may be locked and permitted to remain in position out of control of the retracting means.

2. A control device for automobiles, comprising among its members a movable member, means adapted to connect it to the part to be controlled, retracting means for said movable member, a locking member normally out of operative position for securing said movable member and connected parts in adjusted position, and means separate from and independent of the movable member for throwing said locking member into and out of operative position.

3. A control device for automobiles, comprising among its members a movable member, means adapted to connect it to the part to be controlled, retracting means for said movable member, a locking member adapted to engage a part connected with the movable member, in any position to which it may be moved, for holding said mo 'able member and connected parts in adjusted position, said locking member being normally in inoperative position, and means independent of said movable member for moving said locking member into and holding it in operative position.

4. A control device for automobiles, comprising among its members a movable member, means adapted to connect it to the part to be controlled, retracting means for said movable member, a spring actuated locking member independent of said movable member adapted to engagea part connected with the movable member in any position to which it may be moved, for holding said movable member and connected parts in adjusted position, said locking member being held by its actuating spring normally in inoperative position, and means independent of said movable member for moving said locking member into and holding it in operative position.

5. A control device for automobiles, comprising among its members a movable member, means adapted to connect it to the part to be controlled, retracting means for said movable member, a locking member for frictionally engaging a part connected with said movable member and holding it in adjusted position, said locking member' being normally out of operative relation with said parts, and means independent of the mov able member for moving said locking member into and holding it in position to engage said part and lock said movable member and theiparts connected therewith.

6. A foot operated control device for auf tomobiles, comprising among its members a vertically disposed foot engaging conical member, movable bodily in a direction substantially perpendicular to its vertical axis, and means adapted to'connect said movable member with the part to be controlled, said conical member being at all times freely rotatable about its own aXis without affecting the movement of said connecting means, to relieve friction between the said movable member and the engaged portion of the foot and presenting at all times an inclined foot engaging surface.

7. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising two members between which the foot is inserted, at least one of said members being movable away from and toward the other, means adapted to connect said movable member to the part to be controlled, and retracting means for the movable member, at least one of said members being conical and freely rotatable at all times upon its own anis, whereby it will at all times present an inclined surface opposed to the other member.

8. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary and a movable member, each of said members be ling conical and freely rotatable at all times,

said movable member being movable bodily in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aXis of its rotation, means adapted to connect the movable member with the part lto be controlled, and retracting means for the movable member, whereby said members will always present opposing faces inclined to each other and will rotate to facilitate the longitudinal movement of the engaged `portion of the foot, with respect thereto independently of the bodily movement of said. movable member.

9. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary member and a movable member adapted to receive 10. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary member and a movable member adapted to receive the foot of the operator between them, means adapted to connect the movable member with the part to be controlled, a retracting spring for said movable member, a support for said stationary member provided with a plurality of bearing apertures at different distances from the movable member, said stationary member being provided with a stem for rotatably engaging one of said bearing apertures, whereby it may be adjusted while being at all times freely rotatable about its own axis.

ll. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary member and an opposed movable member, a pivoted supporting arm for said movable member, connections between said movable member and the supporting arm permitting said movable member to rotate freely at all times about its own axis independently of the movement of said arm, means adapted to connect said arm with the part to be controlled, and a retracting spring for said movable member.

l2. A foot operated control device for au tomobiles, comprising a stationarily supported member, and an opposed movable member, a pivoted arm for supporting said movable member, said movable member being conical in form, connections between said movable member and said arm permitting the rotation of said conical member upon its aXis at all times independently of the movement of said arm, means adapted to connect the said arm with the part to be controlled, and retracting means for said movable member.

13. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a base plate provided with a slotted portion, a stationary member engaging said base plate and freely rotatable at all times with respect thereto, a conical movable member, a pivotally mounted supporting arm, connections between said arm and said movable member extending through said slotted portion of the base plate, and constructed to permit the free rotation of said movable member at all times independently of the movement of said ar i, means adapted to connect said arm with the part to be controlled, and a retracting spring for said movable member.

la. A foot operated control device for tomobiles, comprising a base plate provided with a slottedportion and with a plurality of bearing apertures at different distances from said slotted portion, a stationary conical member having an aXial stem for detachably engaging one of said bearing apertures, a pivoted arm provided with a bearing portion at a distance from its pivot, a movable arm, said stem extending through the slot in said base plate, means adapted to connect said arm with the part to becontrolled, and

a retracting device for said movable arm.

l5. yA foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a base plate pro-A vided with a slotted portion, a pivoted arm, a conical movable member, connections between said arm and said movable .member extending through the slotted portion of the base plate and permitting the tree rotation of said movable member upon its own axis, means adapted to connect the said arm with the part to be controlled, said base plate being provided with two series ol bearing apertures, the apertures of each 'series being located at different distances from the movable member and arranged in lines located in dili'erent positions on said base plate longitudinally of the foot, a conical stationary member provided with an axial bearing stem adapted to engage an aperture in either ot said series ofapertures, whereby the said stationary member maybe adjusted both Y laterally and longitudinallywith respect to the foot, times. v

16.y A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary and a Vmovable member having opposed faces between which the foot is inserted, means adapted` to connect said movable member to the part to be controlled, retracting means for the movable member, means :tor securing the stationary member in different positions laterally, `and longitudinallyr of the foot topermit variations in the foot, kwhile in operative relation with said members.

' 17, A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary and a movable member provided with opposed faces between which the foot is inserted, means adapted to connect said movable member to the part to be controlled, retractand will be freely rotatable at all mg means for said movable member, and a locking member, independent of saidmovable member and its retracting means, and' normally in inoperative position for locking the movable member in adjusted position.

18. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary and a movable member provided with opposed faces between which the foot is inserted, a pivoted arm for supporting said movable 3 member, means adaptedto connecty said pivoted arm to the part to be controlled, retracting means for the movable member, aV locking member for engaging said arm, and holding it and the movable member in adjusted position, saidv locking member being normally in inoperative position, and means for moving said locking member into operative position.

19. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary and a movable member provided with opposed faces between which the foot is inserted, a pivoted arm for supporting said movable member, means adapted to connect said pivoted arm to the part to be controlled, retracting means for the movable member, a bar for frictionally engaging said arm and holding it and the movable member in adjusted position, said bar being normally out of engagement with said arm, and means independent of the movable member for moving said bar into frictional engagement with said arm.

20. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary and a movable member provided with opposed faces between which the foot is inserted, a pivoted arml for supporting said movable member, means adapted to connect said pivoted arm to the part to be controlled, retracting means for the movable member, a spring actuated locking bar for frictionally engaging said arm and holding it and the movable member in adjusted position, said bar being normally out of engagement with said arm, and means independent of the movable member for moving said bar into frictional engagement with said arm.

2l. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a freely rotatable conical stationary member, an opposed freely rotatable member movable bodily from and toward the stationary member in a line substantially perpendicular to the axes ol said conical members, a pivoted arm operatively connected with said bodily movable member, means adapted to connect said arm with the part to be controlled, retracting means for said movable member, a locking member for locking said movable member and said arm in their adjusted position, said locking member being normally out of operative position, and means for moving said locking member into operative position.

22. A foot operated control device for automobiles comprising a stationary foot engaging member, and a detachable movable foot engaging member, between which the foot of the Voperator may be inserted, means inaccessible to the foot of the operator adapted to connect the movable member to the part to be controlled, said means being the only means for said part to be controlled, and a retracting device for said movable member, whereby said movable member may be detached and removed without disturbing any other parts of the device to prevent the operation of the part to be controlled.

23. A foot operated control device for automobiles, comprising a stationary foot engaging member, a detachable movable foot engaging member, means adapted to conneet said movable member to the fuel conber may be detached and removed to prevent 10 trol device for the engine, and forming the the unauthorized use of the automobile.

only means for operating said fuel control .In testimony whereof I affix my SiOnature, device, a retracting spring for said movable in the presence of tvvo Witnesses.

member and means operable independently of the movable member for locking said JOHN ATKINSON STAPLEb' movable member and connected parts in Vtnesses:

adjusted position, to facilitate the starting E. BENNETT,

of the engine, whereby said movable mem- M. H. DOHERTY.

Uopes of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing` the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

